'King of Romance' Yash Chopra passes away

Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, hailed by many as 'King of Romance', died here at the Lilavati Hospital Sunday, following multiple organ failure. The 80-year-old was suffering from dengue.

Chopra's last rites will be performed Monday at the Chandanwadi crematorium in south Mumbai.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the sad demise of Mr. Yash Chopra, who breathed his last at around 5:30 PM today. Details of his last rites will be communicated to all a little later," said an official statement from Yash Raj Films.

As soon as the news of his death came out, from Shah Rukh Khan, Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu to Poonam Dhillon and Anil Kapoor many came rushing to the hospital.

Actress Nargis Fakhri of "Rockstar" fame was also present at the hospital.

The family members of Yash Chopra have shifted his body from the hospital to their home in Juhu. Shah Rukh, a close friend who was working with the filmmaker in his last film, was seen sitting inside the vehicle that carried the body of Yash Chopra.

On Monday, before the cremation, his body will be kept at the Yash Raj Studios in Andheri West from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for people to pay their last respect.

Yash Chopra was admitted to the hospital Oct 13 after he complained of weakness. However, he was later diagnosed with dengue. He died of multiple organ failure Sunday evening.

He is survived by wife Pamela and two sons Aditya and Uday. While Aditya is a filmmaker, Uday is an actor.

"He died of multi-organ failure. He was in the ICU," said a hospital official.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt called Yash Chopra's death a huge loss to Bollywood.

"My brother Mukesh Bhatt called me at 6.30 p.m. and was crying. He gave me the news that Yashji is no more. He was very close to him. It is a sad demise and a huge loss," Mahesh told IANS.

Yash Chopra gave romance a new meaning with films like "Daag", "Kabhi Kabhie", "Silsila", "Chandni", and "Dil Toh Pagal Hai" and his own favourite "Lamhe".

Before his death, he was busy shooting for "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" with Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. He had completed the entire schedule except for a song.

The film, slated for a Diwali release Nov 13, has turned out to be his swan song.

From legendary actor Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan to Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi, Bollywood fraternity is "shocked", "numb" and "heartbroken" after learning about his death.